F Major Thirteenth Guitar Arpeggio
Guitar arpeggio — fretboard diagram
F Major Thirteenth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: F, A, C, E, G, D
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 7M, 9M, 13M
Formula: 2W-WH-2W-WH-7
Number of notes: 6
Also known as: maj13, Maj13, ^13
The F Major Thirteenth arpeggio contains 6 notes (F, A, C, E, G, D). Use the interactive fretboard diagram above to explore each arpeggio shape and pattern on Guitar. Practice ascending and descending from the root note across all strings to learn the sound of this arpeggio.
When to Use the F Major Thirteenth Arpeggio
Play the F Major Thirteenth arpeggio whenever a F Major Thirteenth chord appears in a progression. Unlike scales (which include passing tones), arpeggios guarantee every note you play IS a chord tone, making your solo sound harmonically precise and intentional.
Arpeggio vs. Scale
The F Major Thirteenth arpeggio uses 6 notes (F, A, C, E, G, D) while the full scale uses 7. The arpeggio is a subset — think of it as the skeleton of the scale. Practice alternating between the arpeggio and the full scale to develop a melodic vocabulary that mixes chord tones with passing tones.
How to Play F Major Thirteenth Arpeggio on Guitar
Root your F Major Thirteenth arpeggio at fret 1 on the 6th (low E), or alternatively at 8th fret on the A string. With 6 notes, this extended arpeggio covers a wide range. Break it into smaller two- or three-string groups and connect them gradually. Tapping can also help cover the extra reach needed.
The F Major Thirteenth arpeggio outlines a F major chord and works perfectly over F, Fmaj7, F6 harmonies. It is a foundational arpeggio for soloing over major-key progressions and emphasizes the bright, resolved character of the major triad.
Practice Routine — Exercises for Playing
Practice the F Major Thirteenth arpeggio in different octaves, starting low and working up. Then try displacing the octaves — play the root low, the A an octave higher, and continue leaping. This trains your ear to hear the intervals (1P, 3M, 5P, 7M, 9M, 13M) in any register.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, practice the F Major Thirteenth arpeggio using string skipping — jump over a string between each note to create wider intervals. This technique produces a more pianistic, open sound compared to sweep picking and develops precise right-hand accuracy.
Related Resources
- Harmonize F Major Thirteenth
- Browse Chord Progressions
- Interactive Circle of Fifths
- F Major Thirteenth on Bass
Explore F Major Thirteenth in Other Tunings
- F Major Thirteenth in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- F Major Thirteenth in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- F Major Thirteenth in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- F Major Thirteenth in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- F Major Thirteenth in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- F Major Thirteenth in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- F Major Thirteenth in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- F Major Thirteenth in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- F Major Thirteenth in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- F Major Thirteenth in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- F Major Thirteenth in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- F Major Thirteenth in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- F Major Thirteenth in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- F Major Thirteenth in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)